ESC+Plus has talked to Hando Jaksi (I Wear* Experiment), finalists of this year’s Estonian national selection for Eurovision. The band will perform “Patient” in the final of Eesti Laul 2016 to take place today.
ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all, thank you so much for your time and congratulations on having been selected to take part in the Estonian national selection for Eurovision 2016!
Can you tell us about you, your musical career and important achievements?
All of us have musical background as we have played in different bands for over 10 years already. I Wear* Experiment started in 2012 and during those 4 years we’ve released 3 EP’s and in April 2016 we’ll release our debut LP “Patience”. During those years we have developed a strong live performance and toured the Baltics and played all the major summer festival of the region. Our music and live has received good critical acclaim from The Line of Best Fit, MTV Iggy, Louder Than War, Under The Radar Magazine and so on.
E+: What impelled you to take part in “Eesti Laul 2016”?
For many years now Eesti Laul has become the best platform for Estonian artists to introduce new music to the general public. Over 250 new songs are presented each year and only 20 best songs make the cut. Why we took part in Eesti Laul- we just had the right song, ready in the right time.
E+: How did you feel when you knew you had qualified for the final? Did you expect it?
It was a very nice surprise. As we are playing not the classical mainstream top 40 music, for an alternative artist to get into the final, it’s an achievement for us. It also shows that the taste of an Estonian music fan is broadening.
E+: What would it mean to you to represent Estonia?
For us it doesn’t matter if we are playing on the Eurovision stage, in a small bar in Šiauliai or support Hurts in their arena tour each time we step on stage we do our best to keep the quality level of I Wear* Experiment very high. Every time we give concerts abroad we are the ambassadors of Estonian culture and ethics.
E+: Can you tell us about your song? What is the story behind the lyrics?
The story reflects on our experience creating our debut album, how we grew and developed our patience. Also, it’s like a “thank you” note to all those people around us who have helped us in creating better songs, better live concerts and overall – being better people.
E+: Why do you think your song has to be selected for Stockholm? What are you strengths to reach the top in the competition?
What a good question! We have a good song that hopefully stands out from the average Eurovision songs. We believe that our song has a message and bears a meaning so it’s not just a bunch of pop-song hooks thrown into a boring beat.
E+: Will you change your stage performance for the Eesti Laul’s final?
We’ll keep everything in good balance with the aesthetics of the song. Can’t tell you more yet.
E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? What are your favorite songs in the history of the competition?
Me and Johanna watch Eurovision, Mikk doesn’t. Our favourite songs have been the early ABBA stuff and Johanna really likes Alexander Rybak’s song, I like Lena’s song.
E+: If you could choose a Eurovision former participant to sing along with, who would it be?
It would be with the singer of Iceland’s band GusGus- Daniel Agust Haraldsson. He took part in ESC in 1989. As I really like GusGus, I’d be honored to work with him.
E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your plans for this year?
Next week we play 3 arena concerts with the British band Hurts, then in April we’ll release our debut album and we have touring plans for summer autumn from the Baltics to Poland, Czech Republic, Germany, Austria, Slovakia, Benelux countries, UK.
E+: Finally, can you send a message for our readers and Eurovision fans?
Vote and support music that triggers your emotions only. All else is irrelevant.
E+: Thanks for your time and good luck!
Their song is my 4th most liked of the 10 songs of the Eesti’s Final.
(Have run out of *Patience* light years ago….)